The UFC provides an epic stage for legends to be created and competition to flourish more than ever before. Pushing boundaries constantly, this sport keeps giving fans thrilling fights while providing new ways to engage with combat sports as a world.
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Origins
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) competition on earth, boasting worldwide popularity since 2001 and continuing to draw in some of the greatest fighters from all around the world.
UFC tournaments were initially no-holds barred affairs; low blows, hair pulling and headbutts were legal and clashes of martial arts styles were an attractive draw for pay-per-view audiences. Royce Gracie, one of its founding brothers, became widely popular by winning three of its inaugural four tournaments.
Today, UFC is an international sports entertainment brand with headquarters in Las Vegas. Its events regularly sell-out prestigious arenas and feature some of the world’s best athletes; furthermore, its state-of-the-art Performance Institute facilitates fighter training and development.
Rules
UFC officials have forbidden certain potentially risky techniques, such as spitting and fish hooking, which involves inserting fingers into an opponent’s mouth, nose or other orifices with the intention of tearing or slicing their tissues – an action so dangerous it has resulted in career ending injuries for several fighters.
UFC does not permit knee strikes to the head of a grounded opponent to prevent possible spinal damage. Furthermore, one rule specific to MMA prohibits soccer kicks against such individuals.
Zuffa policy prohibits UFC and its employees from accepting unsolicited ideas, proposals, suggestions or materials of any nature (“Unsolicited Materials”). This helps avoid potential confusion when projects created by UFC personnel may appear similar to Unsolicited Materials.
Regulations
The UFC regulations ensure a fair competition for athletes while safeguarding fighters’ health and safety, making the sport both fair and appealing to sponsors and fans.
Early UFC competition had no set rules or weight classes; fights could continue until one fighter was either knocked out, or their corner called it off. Furthermore, no gloves were worn by fighters.
As part of a fight, it is against the rules for fighters to grab their opponents’ shorts or gloves; doing so provides them with an unfair advantage that increases risk. Furthermore, body grease or gels that give an unfair edge cannot be used during bouts.
Matchmaking
UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard provided insight into the process of creating fight cards with Sean Shelby, the senior vice president of talent relations. Their responsibility extends from men’s bantamweight through welterweight divisions as well as women’s divisions and middleweight to heavyweight fights.
Maynard takes into account both fighter evaluations and stylistic matchups when creating fight cards. For instance, he might choose to book two striking fighters against one another to avoid leaving either exposed on the ground.
Early this year, the UFC ran a sweepstakes that enabled fans to create their own dream fight card and win an opportunity to meet Dana White and visit his War Room. One of the more notable matches on this fantasy card included Jon Jones against Sergei Pavlovich.
Payouts
UFC fighters’ earnings depend on a variety of factors. Bonuses based on performance or overall fight outcomes may significantly enhance their base pay; those considered the stand-out performers of any particular night may even earn a ‘Performance of the Night Bonus.’
The UFC divides fighters into three tiers, with those earning between $10,000 and $30K earning the least per fight. After several victories and increasing popularity, fighters usually move up into the middle tier which pays between $80,000-250,000 per fight.
Lemos earned $210,000 (an amount comprised of both her show fee and bonus payout) at UFC 300 while Hill made $1,132,000. Furthermore, UFC 300 featured an UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payment of $32,000.